End Term Exam Sample

Supply Chain Management (Suhas Rane)

End Term Exam – April 2011-12

Instructions -

ü Open Book, Soft Copy, Closed Internet

ü Solve any 5 Questions. Each Question carries 10 Marks.

ü Please read the questions carefully and address the exact issue. Use right words. Avoid un-necessary illustrations. For clarity, please draw diagrams / figures at appropriate places.

Question 1 – How are the approaches of different functional managers conflicting, while monitoring the Material Procurement or Out-Sourcing of services. In that case – how should the top management resolve the conflict by taking a strategic approach?

Explain “Strategic Sourcing” with the help of appropriate diagram. Also mention – Strategic Actions & Levels of Dealing Officers, for each category.

Question 2 –

a) Trade Discounts and Promotional schemes give rise to Bull-Whip Effect – Explain How? What are the possible solutions, in that case?

b) How does ‘Kanban’ work?

Question 3 – They say: “Today, war is not between Honda & Hyundai, but between their respective supply chains”. With this as back-drop, please suggest – how can one “Expand Strategic Scope” across different functions, as well as across multiple functional strategies? Explain the ways to expand “Inter-Companies, Inter-Operations” strategic scope of a supply chain? (Diagram necessary)

Question 4 – Management thinkers like Porter, Martin Christopher have proposed several multiple concepts like Generic Strategies, Value Chain & Competitive Advantage (CA) etc. On this back-ground, please clarify the following points (Imp: Please limit your discussion to the area of Supply Chain only) –

a) How Porter’s Model can be put to use for achieving CA, wither by Cost Leadership strategy, or by differentiation?

b) How is Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA) different from CA?

c) How does a Business Excellence Model (like MBNQA) help the world class companies to achieve SCA?

Question 5 –

a) How do you define Value? Can it be expressed by a formula? If Yes – please do so.

b) How do you link “Value Concepts” to “Profit Maximization”?

c) How different Value Concepts are aptly addressed in SCOR 5 Parameters? Mention some Level 1 Metrics for your illustration.

Question 6 – Write Short Notes (Any 3) –

a) Analytical IT – How different from Transactional IT?

b) SCM Best Practices followed by any one Global Co. for improving their “Working Capital Management”. (Give minimum 3 best practices)

c) Which activities can be Out-Sourced?

d) Sensitivity of EOQ Curve.